The Crossbill News Desk
In a determined push for a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, 111 farmers began an indefinite hunger strike today (January 15) at the Punjab-Haryana border in Khanauri. The protest is an extension of support for farmers' leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose hunger strike has now entered its 51st day.
Despite heightened security measures by Haryana state, no clashes were reported as the farmers peacefully occupied the protest site near the border.
Addressing the media, farmer leaders clarified that they had no plans to march further but intended to continue their indefinite fast at the current location until their demands were addressed by the Union government.
The protesting farmers, dressed in black as a symbol of defiance, have pledged to forego medical aid during their hunger strike. Echoing Dallewal’s resolve, they declared their willingness to sacrifice their lives for the welfare of the farming community. Dallewal has so far refused medical assistance despite his deteriorating health.
The 111 farmers participating in the hunger strike belong to Dallewal’s Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) (Non-Political) forum, which has led this ongoing movement for nearly a year. Leaders from the Sarwan Pandher-led Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) have also played a key role in the agitation.
Before commencing the hunger strike, the farmers cleaned the protest site and offered a collective ardas (prayer). Aulakh mentioned that all participants were given the option to withdraw at the last moment, but all chose to proceed with the fast.
Attention is now focused on a critical meeting scheduled for January 18, where various factions of the SKM will discuss forming a united front to intensify the fight for farmers’ demands.
The first round of discussions on January 13 ended inconclusively, though there was consensus on the need for a joint platform similar to the one that successfully led the historic 2020-2021 farmers' agitation against the now-repealed three farm laws.
Internal disagreements within the SKM had resulted in a split in 2022, leading Dallewal to establish his own SKM (Non-Political) front and initiate the current movement. However, this stir has not gained the widespread traction witnessed during the 2020-2021 protests.
Dallewal’s declining health and the Union government’s continued inaction have now become a rallying point for various groups, spurring efforts to rekindle a unified movement.
Despite heightened security measures by Haryana state, no clashes were reported as the farmers peacefully occupied the protest site near the border.
At Khanauri ahead of 111 farmers to start fast unto death in solidarity with #JagjitSinghDallewal who is on fast for the last 51 days pic.twitter.com/N3gTkv6mpQ
— Neel Kamal (@NeelkamalTOI) January 15, 2025
Addressing the media, farmer leaders clarified that they had no plans to march further but intended to continue their indefinite fast at the current location until their demands were addressed by the Union government.
The protesting farmers, dressed in black as a symbol of defiance, have pledged to forego medical aid during their hunger strike. Echoing Dallewal’s resolve, they declared their willingness to sacrifice their lives for the welfare of the farming community. Dallewal has so far refused medical assistance despite his deteriorating health.
The 111 farmers participating in the hunger strike belong to Dallewal’s Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) (Non-Political) forum, which has led this ongoing movement for nearly a year. Leaders from the Sarwan Pandher-led Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) have also played a key role in the agitation.
Before commencing the hunger strike, the farmers cleaned the protest site and offered a collective ardas (prayer). Aulakh mentioned that all participants were given the option to withdraw at the last moment, but all chose to proceed with the fast.
Attention is now focused on a critical meeting scheduled for January 18, where various factions of the SKM will discuss forming a united front to intensify the fight for farmers’ demands.
The first round of discussions on January 13 ended inconclusively, though there was consensus on the need for a joint platform similar to the one that successfully led the historic 2020-2021 farmers' agitation against the now-repealed three farm laws.
Internal disagreements within the SKM had resulted in a split in 2022, leading Dallewal to establish his own SKM (Non-Political) front and initiate the current movement. However, this stir has not gained the widespread traction witnessed during the 2020-2021 protests.
Dallewal’s declining health and the Union government’s continued inaction have now become a rallying point for various groups, spurring efforts to rekindle a unified movement.
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